Breaking: Apple developing dedicated chips for AR and non-AR glasses

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce non-AR glasses in the coming years.

Illustration: Tech Bird

The world of augmented reality is poised for an exciting evolution as the tech giant from Silicon Valley prepares to enter the AR glasses arena with its signature flair. Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, is reportedly engineering its own specialized chipsets not only for its anticipated AR glasses but also for a distinct non-AR version, with potential launch windows around 2026 and 2027.

 

This significant news gained substantial credibility as it originated directly from a well-regarded Apple insider, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who recently shared details about these upcoming Apple glasses. The custom-designed chip under development is said to resemble an Apple Watch chipset in its low energy requirements. Yet, it's undoubtedly a tailored solution optimally suited to the glasses' form factor and functionalities, ensuring both efficiency and minimal power consumption. The report further suggests that this specialized chip is being designed to effectively manage multiple cameras expected to be integrated into these new wearable devices. This development serves as a clear competitive signal to Meta's already established Ray-Ban smart glasses, indicating Apple's ambition to establish a strong presence and potentially dominate this burgeoning field.

 

An intriguing aspect highlighted in the report is Apple's strategic development of essentially two distinct product lines: one being the full-fledged AR glasses and the other a non-AR version. The truly immersive augmented reality glasses, according to Gurman's insights, are still some time away from being truly practical. Consequently, the glasses we are likely to see in the near future will be the non-AR version. This category of device, exemplified by Meta's Ray-Ban, allows users to seamlessly capture photos, enjoy audio playback, and make phone calls directly through the eyewear. The report also hints at Apple's consideration of integrating AI into these glasses, potentially leveraging the camera to analyze the surrounding environment and provide intelligent assistance – a feature that could draw upon Apple's existing Visual Intelligence capabilities.

 

Apple is reportedly aiming to finalize the production of these custom chipsets either in late 2026 or 2027, with Gurman suggesting that the actual product release might follow within a couple of years. Apple is not alone in its pursuit of the AR and smart glasses market; its primary South Korean rival is also actively preparing to unveil its own AR headset and glasses in the coming years. Given Meta's current strong foothold in the AR space, the competition is anticipated to be fierce, and the coming years are likely to be defined by the emergence of these innovative AR products and smart eyewear.